President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria today commended the Nigerian Parliament for its regular engagement of the public in its legislative functions and urged Commonwealth Parliamentarians not to relent in the efforts to deepen public participation in the democratic process.

The President who stated this in his welcome address while declaring open the 52nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference on September 6 in Abuja, noted that the Conference is unique in many respects, that the nation hosted the conference in November with 104 delegates from fourteen independent nations in attendance and this year, 600 delegates from fifty-two nations are in attendance.

He recalled that Nigeria as at 1962 was practicing the Westminster Parliamentary System of government with only three regions but today the country operates a Presidential System of government with thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

He noted that considerable trials and challenges have shaped Nigeria’s relationship with the Commonwealth and comity of nations, but since 1999, the country have remained consistent in her resolve to reclaim and rebuild her fortunes through far-reaching reforms and sustainable development.

He disclosed that within two years the nation was repositioned from the status of a pariah state to that of a responsible member of the global community in addition to a considerable reduction of her debt burden with the recent payment made to the Paris Club and expressed appreciation for the efforts of leaders of Commonwealth countries that made significant contributions to the nation’s debt relief endeavour.

He assured that appropriate measures have been initiated to ensure consistent prudence in resource management noting that since 1999, the nation’s democratic practice, discourses and democratic institutions have grown from strength to strength and have visibly put behind, those debilitating forces and factors that mediated the blossoming of democratic values and culture.

“All Nigerians have voted for democracy, stability, security, and prosperity. The tripartite relationship among the three arms of government, the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary has improved over the years. And today, we do not only enrich each other but we also exchange experiences and collectively work for a stronger, more secure, united, harmonious and prosperous Nigeria.” He said.

He said the theme of the conference, “Enhancing Standards of Democratic Governance and Public Perceptions of Parliament in the Commonwealth.” is most appropriate within the context of Commonwealth countries like Nigeria with a history of military intervention adding that the public perception of the role of the parliament as a vital stakeholder in ensuring good governance is limited.

According to him, moving from dictatorship to democracy requires the reconstitution of the structures and institutions of state, the rebuilding of confidence in leadership and governance, the construction of new mindsets, and the realignment of socio-political and economic interests and forces in new positive directions.